Old and new aircaft to wow at Warbirds

No. 40 Squadron’s long-serving C-130H (NZ) Hercules will be making its final appearance at Warbirds Over Wanaka this Easter as the type is replaced in the coming year

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will embrace its history and future at this year’s Warbirds Over Wanaka, with the air show being the final southern public outing for the retiring C-130H (NZ) Hercules transport aircraft.

The RNZAF has been wowing aircraft enthusiasts across Central Otago skies for 36 years at Wanaka warbirds airshows, and this Easter they’re back to delight.

Every current RNZAF aircraft type will be seen at Warbirds Over Wanaka, subject to availability. Some will carry out flying displays, while others will be on static display for the public to get up close. Some will be working to provide transport support to the biennial event.

The Air Force Heritage Flight will also be at Wanaka, including a recently restored P-51 Mustang in its first public flying display.

A new RNZAF P-8A Poseidon will also be seen in action for the first time, demonstrating a simulated raft drop with a low pass down the airfield.

 Every RNZAF type, subject to availability, should be on display at this year’s Wānaka air show.

It will be the final air show for the retiring fleet of No. 40 Squadron C-130H (NZ) Hercules, and they will be celebrating the iconic aircraft with a Formation Thunder flypast, a handling display, Kiwi Blue parachute display and a lakefront flare drop that promises to be spectacular. 

“Events such as Warbirds Over Wanaka provide an opportunity for the RNZAF to display its aircraft capability, showing how it can support the people of New Zealand,” says Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb.

“Domestic air shows and display activities enable the RNZAF to inspire, educate and engage with the communities it serves. Not only do they allow for the demonstration of skills and capabilities of the RNZAF, they also support the preservation of the RNZAF’s history.”

No. 14 Squadron aerobatic display team, the Black Falcons, remains a cornerstone of the weekend with the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft, and helicopter enthusiasts can enjoy a No. 3 Squadron A109 two-ship handling display, before they team up with a No. 6 Squadron SH-2G (1) Seasprite helicopter and No. 3 Squadron NH90 for a combined winch display. 

Aerobatic display team, the Black Falcons, will be the RNZAF’s cornerstone of the weekend.

Squadron Leader Jim Rankin is the RNZAF Air Display Director and has been to every Warbirds event bar one, as both the military Display Director and Civil Display Director. 

The air show was about more than celebrating aircraft in the air, he says.

“The role demonstrations and handling displays are a chance to practise and sharpen the flying skills required to operate our aircraft across the range of outputs we deliver for the New Zealand Government. 

“Whenever an aircraft gets airborne though, it requires more than just our aircrew to operate them – it requires technical staff to maintain the airframes, working alongside logisticians, refuellers, security forces and firefighters.  Everyone has a part to play in delivering our military air operations.”

The Warbirds Over Wanaka air show is held from Friday 29 March to Sunday 31 March at Wānaka Airport.

 

2 comments

More than..

Posted on 26-03-2024 18:13 | By DaveTheCynic

Willing to bet a weeks wages they won't be putting on the show in the promo shot.


Goodbye, Hercules.

Posted on 27-03-2024 12:36 | By morepork

Sorry to see it go. I had a friend some years ago who was a Hercules pilot with the RNZAF. He had some amazing stories to tell of deployments all over the world. This was one of the most versatile aircraft ever built. It used short grass strips to sealed international runways and was the general "workhorse" of many air forces. Thousands of people owe their lives to the transport of supplies and support, under difficult circumstances, by the Hercules.


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